Jesuit Refugee Service

This report was published yesterday by Jesuit Refugee Service in response to the current media focus on the English Channel.JRS UK is deeply troubled by the Government’s comments and response to those individuals crossing the English Channel to reach the UK in search of safety and security. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those individuals around the world who are struggling to find safety, as we welcome in this New Year.As was widely reported today (Wednesday 2 Jan), Mr Javid spoke to...

Farm Street Church this week witnessed a joyful start to the Advent season as it hosted the Jesuit Refugee Service's Advent service. The readings, which included both traditional scripture and poetry, read by JRS staff, volunteers and refugees, gave the packed church plenty to reflect upon.The service was led by Fr Damian Howard SJ, who asked in his welcome that we "think of those who are far from home, missing their loved ones, and make ourselves present to them as God makes himself present to...

Fr Damian Howard SJ preached at the JRS UK Advent Service about refugee wisdom which knows the truth about human life.There was an Advent party recently in the East End of London. Four random locals found themselves in conversation about the dreadful fix the world was in. Prudently they avoided Brexit, but they didn’t hesitate to bemoan the natural catastrophes afflicting so many corners of the globe, the persecution of entire peoples for their religion or their ethnicity, and, of course,...

With a shared border more than 2.000 kilometres long, Colombia and Venezuela are facing a serious challenge in managing their national relations. With the massive forced migration of people coming from Venezuela, an understanding needs to be reached.According to United Nations estimates, more than two million people have fled Venezuela as a result of the internal crisis and the government's economic policies. It is estimated that there are already close to one million forced migrants in...

Join JRS UK for an evening of Readings and Carols as we begin the Advent Season.On Monday 3rd December, JRS UK will be holding their annual Advent Service at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street. It is a chance for refugees, supporters, volunteers and staff of JRS to come together to celebrate the beginning of Advent. All are welcome.The service of Readings and Carols will be led by Fr Provincial Damian Howard SJ and will include performances from some of our refugee...

“Why do Christians around the world prefer the narrative of populist nationalism and political exclusion to the message of the Gospel?” was the question posed by expert on the theology of migration, Dr Joshua Ralston, at a conference at Heythrop College to mark World Refugee Day.JRS UK and the Heythrop Institute for Religion and Society hosted Refugee Stories: Changing the Narrative - the fruits of a collaboration between academics working in theology and related disciplines, practitioners...

It is necessary to increase access to education for refugee children, so that they may feel welcomed, have their skills and talents promoted, know they are protected, and be prepared to integrate into their host communities.Pope Francis has urged the global community to adopt a shared response to the global refugee situation that may be articulated in four words: welcome, protect, promote and integrate.This World Refugee Day, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and Entreculturas are building upon...

Sarah Teather, Director of Jesuit Refugee Service, is presenting Prayer for the Day on BBC Radio 4 during Holy Week. This is Radio 4's daily prayer and reflection slot, whose presenters represent a wide range of faith backgrounds and are often ordained ministers.She starts her slots this coming Saturday 24 March, the day before Palm Sunday and will give a brief reflection each morning from Monday 26th until Good Friday.The programme will suit early risers as it is broadcast at 5.43am, but...

JRS UK has called on the government to end indefinite detention, in response to the latest damning inspection of Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre, which highlighted the continuing detention of highly vulnerable men, sometimes for very long periods of time. JRS UK described the report’s findings as “deeply troubling, but sadly not surprising”.Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons published their report today of an unannounced inspection into Harmondsworth IRC. The report highlights...